To the Editor

Re: Clark Kim's story headlined Critics scrutinize Trent University's DNA centre's future at forum (Oct 22, 2004)

In spite of the lack of detail the City is being asked to approve a site plan for the development and to contribute $2 million of taxpayer's money at a time when we need the money to deal with issues with clear benefits t the public, like the sewer issues.

Shouldn't city council assure themselves and the public that they have indeed obtained and analyzed all the missing details in order to arrive at an intelligent and responsible decision that they can be proud of and justify to the public? Where is the detailed business plan for the DNA Cluster project? What are the specific short-term and long-term costs (dollars and in-kind) for the CIty? Where is the detailed analysis what benefits will accrue to the City over what period of time? What liabilities does the City incur? What are the impacts upon the City's infrastructure and services (water, sewage, roads) of a project of this scope? What revenues will the project bring to the City? Has there been an environmental assessment of the site? Will the City be asked to contribute addition funds in the future?

Council should defer any decision to contribute financially to this project or approve the site plan until such time as it has received an independent and detailed analysis of the project and its alleged benefits to the Peterborough community.

Is it not time to start thinking with the brain and not just the heart?

Ken Brown
Peterborough